Chi Modu is a major player in the hip-hop world, all from behind the lens.

 

The Nigerian-American photographer developed a relationship with legends like Tupac, Notorious B.I.G, LL Cool J from his time at magazine, The Source in the nineties. The crazy thing? At that time half of them weren’t even close to fame, proving the role of the photographer is equally as pivotal as those being captured.

 

“I knew that 20 years later, that’s when my work would really matter to people. I knew that I could shoot it for a magazine but it would eventually become old and after old comes iconic.”

 

Back then it was “harder on the come up” according to Chi, the Hip-Hop genre was still new to mainstream music and the sounds reflected that. Now jet planes and fast cars don’t impress him — he’s seen it all.

 

Here is some of the best raw moments captured for you to see.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Images from Chi Modu’sinstagram
Words: Leah Teperski